Tesla’s electric cars are kitted out with some of the most advanced technology around. And now – possibly because it can’t fit any more into the cars themselves – it’s cramming more into the key fob.
Its new key fob has just been approved by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) in the US (via The Verge). While it looks just like the standard fob, it now comes packing Bluetooth Low Energy.
This is the same tech found in most modern smartphones that lets them communicate with wearable devices, activity trackers and smart tags.
Fire up the Tesla app, and it could tell where you left your fob. The same feature is already found in a host of other devices, from smart luggage to even sunglasses, so it makes perfect sense for a key fob. You can already unlock Tesla’s cars using its mobile app, and even beep the horn, so why not locate your keys too?
Read more: 5 secret Tesla Model S features to get excited about
This is pure speculation of course. Maybe Tesla just wants the fob to connect to the car via Bluetooth instead of the standard 315MHz signal. Or maybe it’s for transferring data.
Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk recently confirmed that the Tesla Model 3 is on schedule to launch in March 2016. The Model 3 is Tesla’s most affordable electric car yet. Not much is known about it, but it should pack most of the same futuristic tech as the Model S into a package costing around £30,000. If Tesla can get it right, it could become a household name overnight.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.